Project Open

Petaluma NGO LIST–A Beginning for 2008

PINS — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:30:32 +0000

In follow-up to my post of November 17, here is a partial list of organizations with contact information.

Did I miss one? It wasn’t intentional! If you are a member or representative of a volunteer organization providing services to the community, please contact Frank Simpson at neighborspetaluma@hotmail.

I will continue to add to and update this post if additional names and information is provided.

______________

Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma

Website: http://www.petalumabgc.org/

STATEMENT– To inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to become caring, productive and responsible citizens. Provide arts, recreations, sports, and fitness programs during school year and in summer programs.TAGS—summer programs, after school programs, children, child, teens, teenager, adolescent

Burbank Housing Management Corporation
745 N. McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA
Phone: (707) 778-9397
Website: http://burbankhousing.orgSTATEMENT– A local nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Sonoma County

TAGS low income, housing affordable

Carousel Fund17 Buckeye Ct
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone (707) 762-9136Website: www.carouselfund.orgE-Mail- carouselfund@comcast.net arnie@carouselfund.orgSTATEMENT— The Carousel Fund is an all volunteer organization dedicated to assisting Petaluma families with children who suffer from catastrophic illnesses. It raises and distributes funds to relieve the stress and unexpected financial burden placed upon the families of these children. and works closely and cooperatively with existing health and service agencies that already service this population.TAGS—child, children, serious illness, life threatening, expenses, financial assistance

Christmas Cheer

Petaluma CAPhone 707-762-8501

STATEMENT—Food baskets for the needy

TAGS—low income, food

Cinnabar Theater3333 Petaluma Blvd. North

Petaluma, CA 94952

707-763-8920

Website: http://www.cinnabartheater.org/

E-Mail: info@cinnabartheater.org

STATEMENT– To present a wide range of work from the experimental, contemporary and rarely-performed classical repertory in the operatic, classical and ethnic music, and theatrical genres; works which remain relevant to contemporary life and challenging to professionals and audience members alike, both on the level of technique and art and on the level of life and living. Also programs to train young people in the above-mentioned performing arts. To help them to make lasting and meaningful connections between the performing arts and their daily life. Cinnabar Young Rep provides a full, year-round program of classes, workshops, performance opportunities, summer camps and festivals. Students ages 4+ learn all aspects of stagecraft

TAGS—theater, performing arts, music, opera, theatrical, performance, youth, young, classes, workshops, child, children

Committee on the Shelterless (COTS)
1500-B Petaluma Blvd South
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: (707) 765-6530

Website: http://www.cots-homeless.org

STATEMENT–COTS offers help and hope to homeless persons in Sonoma County by providing safe shelter and housing, helping people develop steady incomes and helping them get back under a roof of their own.TAGS—shelter, homeless, housing, training, education

Family Education Ctr
628 E D St
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: (707) 762-8835
Website: http://www.familyeducationcenter.net
Email: fec@familyeducationcenter.netSTATEMENT– Family Education Center provides parents and teachers with effective tools to build healthy, rewarding relationships so their children can grow up with what they need to thrive and succeed.TAGS—child, children, education, rearing, teaching life skills, workshops, classes

Friends of the Petaluma River

Website: http://www.friendsofthepetalumariver.org/

STATEMENT—Dedicated to celebrating and conserving the Petaluma River, wetlands and wildlifeTAGS—river, wetlands, conservation, preservation, cleanup, habitat

Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
775 Baywood Drive, Ste 305

Petaluma, CA 94954
Phone (707) 769-8900 x-12

FAX: (707) 769-4770
Website: www.giantstepsriding.org

STATEMENT—A non-profit organazation that believes that caring for and riding horses can be a powerful tool for healing individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges, as well as children considered to be “at-risk.”TAGS—children, therapy, illness, disability, physical therapy

Hospice of Petaluma
416 Payran Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: (707) 778-6242
Website: http://memorialhospice.org/hospice_petaluma.aspx

STATEMENT– Hospice of Petaluma provides compassionate Hospice care and grief services to individuals and families facing life-threatening illness or the death of a loved one.

TAGS—terminal illness, care, hospice, grief support

Mentor Me Petaluma

35 Maria Drive, Suite 852
Petaluma, CA 94954

Phone—(707) 778-4798

Website: http://www.mentormepetaluma.org/index.html

E-Mail: vrichman@mentormepetaluma.org

STATEMENT–To assist children in reaching their highest potential by providing them with one-to-one relationships with caring
adult role models from the community

TAGS—child, children, mentor, adult

Pediatric Dental Initiative of the North Coast (PDI)

1360 19th Hole Drive, Suite 205
Windsor, CA 95492
(Phone) 707-837-8833
(Fax) 707-837-8877

Website: http://www.pedidental.org/

E-Mail: lponick@pedidental.org

STATEMENT– Our Mission is to improve oral health in children and underserved populations through treatment and prevention educationTAGS— child, children, dental care, dentistry, low income,

Petaluma Bounty

210 Fourth Street, Suite B
Petaluma CA, 94952
Phone 707-775-3663

Website: http://www.petalumabounty.org/index.php/

STATEMENT– Petaluma Bounty is working to create a sustainable Petaluma food system with healthy fresh food for everyone.

TAGS—healthy food, low income, community, garden, surplus food

Petaluma Education Foundation (PEF)

200 Douglas Street
Petaluma, California 94952
Phone: 707.778.4632Website: http://www.pefinfo.com/Default.asp

E-Mail janet@PEFinfo.com

STATEMENT– Enhancing educational excellence in all Petaluma area public and non-profit private schools through Grants, Scholarships and Cultural Enrichment Programs. Fooundation is also supported by The Friends of PEF– a group of Petaluma parents, grandparents and friends who desire to pool their talents and energy in support of the programs of the Petaluma Educational Foundation. All are welcome!

TAGS—schools, public schools, Petaluma schools, grants, scholarships, cultural programs

Petaluma People Services Center

1500 A Petaluma Blvd. South Petaluma CA
Call: 765-8488

Webbsite: http://www.petalumapeople.org/vollist.shtml

STATEMENT—Our mission is to help children, adults, families and seniors to empower themselves thereby reducing:

poverty
abuse
chemical dependence
violence
ignorance
isolation and
mental illness

while promoting socialization, health, education, independence, self reliance and self esteem. Also provides counseling services in area schools and school programsTAGS—meals on wheels, senior services, social services, low income, family, juveniles, adolescents,

Petaluma Mothers Club

Petaluma CA

Phone 707-778-6494

Website: www.petalumamothersclub.org

STATEMENT—Friendship & support to expectant mothers and families with young childrenTAGS—child, children, family support

Petaluma Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

Petaluma CA

Phone 707-769-3054 or 707-763-2277

STATEMENT—Strives to provide a nurturing environment for women in pregnancy or parenting children through age 6

TAGS—child, children, family support

Polly Klaas Foundation
312 Western Ave
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: (707) 769-1334
Website: http://www.pollyklaas.org

STATEMENT– Nonprofit that helps find missing children, prevents children from going missing, and promotes laws like Amber Alert that help keep children safeTAGS—missing children, child safety, crime prevention

Project Linus (North Bay Chapter)

Petaluma CA 94954

Website: http://www.orgsites.com/ca/linus/index.html

E-Mail: jgiacom@comcast.net

STATEMENT– The Project’s goal is to provide security blankets for children in distress due to serious illness, trauma or who are otherwise in need. In other words: “Children who need a hug.”
TAGS—children, ill, illness, sick, sickness, quilting, knitting, crochet, blankets

Petaluma Ecumenical Housing (PEP)

ADDRESS: 951 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, CA 94952
CONTACT: Mary Stompe, Executive Director
PHONE: 707-762-2336
FAX: 707-762-4657
WEBSITE: http://www.pephousing.org/

EMAIL: pep@pephousing.org

STATEMENT—Making affordable housing a reality for seniors and people with diabilities

TAGS—seniors, housing, affordable, disability, disabled

Rebuilding Together Petaluna Inc.

PO BOX 100

PETALUMA CA 94953-0100

Phone: 707 765 3944Email: info@rebuildingtogetherpetaluma.orgWebsite: http://www.rebuildingtogetherpetaluma.org/

STATEMENT– provides free home repair, modifications, and yard cleanup to low income homeowners and renters with disabilities who, because of age, physical limitation, or fixed income, are not able to cover the costs of home maintenance or independent living.

TAGS—low income, disabled, elderly, families, housing, home landscaping, home maintenance, home modifications, home repair, volunteer

Salvation Army (Petaluma)

Captain Scott Schneider
Pastor, Corps Officer
The Salvation Army, Petaluma
(707)769-0716
http://www.tsatoday.org/Petaluma

STATEMENT– The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. In Petaluma it operates a Social services office (open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00am until 11:30 pm) to assist clients with paying utility bills, and providing groceries, both during office hours and at other times and days. It also operates a 5 unit family transitional housing program.

TAGS—aid, family assistance, emergency housing, homeless, low income, food, financial aid

Also see:

Sonoma County Department of Health Services http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/

Petaluma NGO List(s)

PINS — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:52:45 +0000

There are over 300 non profit organizations providing services, assistance, or support for Petalumans. While there are many ways to find information about these organizations, it can be a hit or miss proposition.A small group, working with the City’s Technology Committee, is attempting to develop a searchable date base that will make it easier for people wishing to volunteer or to seek assistance. As one person put it: “(We need to provide)… the information in a way that is searchable (the tags). The City’s community links are just names and numbers, which isn’t very helpful if you don’t know what an organization does.”

It is my understanding that the data base will be open to additions after it is launched. In fact, the idea is to publicize it and encourage additions.

But first we must have a starting point.

My “role” is to help gather information about those groups and organizations that serve Petalumans.

To date the list includes

Christmas Cheer
Committee on the Shelterless (COTS)
Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma
Burbank Housing Management Corporation
Family Education Ctr
Friends of the Petaluma River
Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Hospice of Petaluma
Mentor Me Petaluma
Polly Klaas Foundation
Petaluma Bounty
Petaluma People Services Center
Petaluma Mothers Club
Petaluma Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Project Linus (North Bay Chapter)
Petaluma Ecumenical Housing (PEP)
Rebuilding Together Petaluma

Underneath each name I have worked up “profiles” with searchable tags.

For example:

Project Linus (North Bay Chapter)
Petaluma CA 94954
Website: http://www.orgsites.com/ca/linus/index.html
E-Mail: jgiacom@comcast.net
STATEMENT–The Project’s goal is to provide security blankets for children in distress due to serious illness, trauma or who are otherwise in need. In other words: “Children who need a hug.”
TAGS—children, ill, illness, sick, sickness, quilting, knitting, crochet, blankets

Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
595 Deer Creek Lane
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: (707) 769-4770
Website: http://www.giantstepsriding.org
STATEMENT—A non-profit organization that believes that caring for and riding horses can be a powerful tool for healing individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges, as well as children considered to be “at-risk.”
TAGS—children, therapy, illness, disability, physical therapy

REQUEST FOR HELP–If you are aware of organizations or groups you think should be on the list, please send me whatever information you may have–If you only have the name, that is sufficient. I will do the rest.

You can post it as a comment to this post or send it to neighborspetaluma@hotmail.com. Please put “NGO” in the subject line.

Thanks!

Tag Petaluma Outside.In [where: 94954]

californiacitynews.org

BlogBurst

“Readiness Quotient” Report for Petaluma

whammer — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:55:01 +0000

As stated in Emergency Preparedness Blog #25 … “Stay tuned, the R.Q. averages for zip codes 94952 and 94954 will be released this weekend.” OK, so we a week late; but we wanted to allow time for the “Prepare Petaluma Forum” to be held first … which was last Thursday. Here is the report that was announced at yesterday’s meeting of NERT Sparkplugs. (Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams)

94952 Zip Code - 26 responses - average score = 6.42 (10 point scale)94954 Zip Code - 10 responses – average score = 4.8 (10 point scale)Totals 36 5.61

The national average from a telephone survey (a random sample of 1,005 Americans) conducted in September 2007 = 4.41 on the “RQ” Survey’s 10 point scale. Among the key findings at the national level:

Sixty-five percent of respondents claimed they know how to find the emergency broadcasting station on a radio.
Sixty-two percent said that their local government had an emergency plan.
The majority of Americans remain unprepared. Only 4 percent have taken all the preparedness actions recommended in the RQ and 23 percent have not taken a single action.

If you haven’t taken this “Readiness Quotient” survey yet, invest one minute and go to: http://www.whatsyourrq.org

If you have taken the survey and want to improve your score, click on this link:

http://www.whatsyourrq.org/tips.shtml

Speaking of ACTION, stay tuned for a future blog that will offer additional suggestions of what ACTION Petalumans can take to help not only themselves and their family, but their NEIGHBORS as well.

Just like the American Red Cross,

Petaluma CERT+NERT+ALERT also wants “everyone, regardless of age, background or geography to have the confidence and peace of mind that comes with being prepared. Please remember to (1) get a kit, (2) make a plan, and (3) be informed. It’s all online. Click on http://www.petalumanert.org

ALERT =

Alliance of Local Emergency Response Teams

CERT = Community Emergency Response Teams

NERT = Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams

Important California “Gadfly” Site

PINS — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:47:24 +0000

CaliforniaCityNews.org

This is an excellent web site for those wishing to follow local issues in California. It features blogs and newspaper articles from around the state–a window into what is going on elsewhere and how they are dealing with it.

If nothing else, check out the “Gadfly Hall of Fame” tab. There are quite a few interesting video clips of bizarre happenings during Public Comment at local council meetings in California and elsewhere. My personal favorites are Carson City Smackdown and New London, Old Disputes.

The link for the site is–

http://californiacitynews.typepad.com/californiacitynewsorg/about.html

Mingling with the Sages of Petaluma

whammer — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:14:50 +0000

If Bill Soberanes were still alive, today, he would be very pleased with the recent get-togethers of a new community action group – The Sages of Petaluma. In fact, he would be right in the middle of the group, mingling and having his picture taken with each and everyone. Although there have only been a few get-togethers, about 25 different Sages have participated. A Sage is anyone over 60, who was either born in

Petaluma or has lived here for several years. “Mr. William Howard Pepper,” founder of Pepper Kindergarten in 1894, hosts the meetings at the

Petaluma

Senior

Center on the fourth Thursday each month from 10:30 am until noon. You do not have to be a member of the Center to participate. Currently, these sessions are conversations that go all over the map. Everyone take parts. These Sages are the types of personalities that Bill Soberanes would have loved to interview and to write about in his Peopleology columns. The word – action – is used because as the group attracts more people, they will determine its mission. For now, the conversations have centered around memories of growing up and living in

Petaluma, as well as how best to share and preserve these memories. With the City’s 150^th Anniversary (Sesquicentennial Celebration) coming up in 2008, there are many possibilities. We’re just getting started. Any reader who would like to become a Sage of Petaluma, please send your name and e-mail address to this blogger at whammer@petalumanet.org and your name will be added to the group’s electronic conference board. Stay tuned.

Emergency Prepardedness Events: October 18 & 20

whammer — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:12:01 +0000

On Thursday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m., at the Lucchesi Community Center,
the “Prepare Petaluma” Forum, sponsored by HC2 will offer an excellent
opportunity for the public to review “Be ready” basics such as:
creating a Family Disaster Plan and preparing a Family Disaster
Suppies Kit.

Then, on Saturday, Oct. 20, the Hagstroms NERT will host an open house
from 2-4 p.m. at the Lieb PEP Apartments, 210 Douglas Street, where
anyone interested in learning more about “How to Organize a
“Neighborhood Emergency Response Team” may meet with NERT leaders.

There will be separate stations where the public may view a CERT video tape,
learn how to set up an “Electronic Neighborhood Conference Board,” how to
earn your Amateur Radio License, and see what an Emergency Supply Kit
contains. There will also be an information display table with handouts, as
well as periodic demonstrations of Ham radio communications.

The open house is free and open to all. For additional information, phone
Bill Hammerman at 762-6593, or e-mail whammer@petalumanet.org

Petaluma Band Review rocks P-Town!

JaimeyWB — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:08:56 +0000

8th Annual Petaluma Invitational Band Review a ROARING success!

Note: I posted this on my blog on 360, but in the interest of proliferation and getting the news out about music education in as many places as possible, here it is on Petaluma OPEN…

Another October weekend has come and gone and taken with it another annual Petaluma Invitational Band Review. It was another big success this year - our 8th - and if you made it down to 6th and B on Saturday I hope you had a good time. We had a smaller group of bands due to the SAT tests landing on the same weekend, but we heard all good things in spite of it. This has become a competition that band directors from all over the Bay Area say is one of their favorites because of how well they’re cared for by the PHS volunteers and by all of you in the community at large.

This year I was thrust into a much larger role than in years’ past. Ordinarily I’d be out before dawn helping to set up the judges’ stand - a lot of good sweat and manual labor building scaffolding, setting the platform and hanging horizontal stripes of red, white and blue that you can see from far up B Street. This year I was fortunate enough to act as Volunteer Coordinator for the whole shindig, shouldering some of the logistic and administrative work for Review co-chairs Mike and Theresa Haire and Janet Knudson. In years past I’d finish my volunteer task just as many others were just getting started, and already have my spot on the parade route set, video camera in hand.

This year I think I got to see 20-30 seconds of the PHS band (who were fantastic, by the way) and a good dose of the percussion unit from Hayward High School as I was in constant motion. What a treat, and the “why” is the message I’m ramping up to.

I’ve had such a deep amount of admiration for my fellow band parents in general (for supporting arts education), but especially those who put in hours upon hours to make all of our events possible during the school year - competitions, school concerts, band trips, etc.

For the casual observer, the Band Review just happens in spite of them - and it’s been our good fortune to steward this event into something that is fun, simple and accessible to the whole community every year. There’s literally dozens of people who lend their time and enthusiasm to make an event like this come together. From planning and logistics to an insane amount of food prep (for our BBQ and snack bars) to the small army it takes to get our kids into uniform and ready to step off and set the tone for the event…in a word, amazing.

So while I didn’t get my cush spot to watch the whole parade, I did find an even deeper feeling of appreciation for all of those who made the Band Review another great success this year.

So if you had a great time this year, send thanks to the band directors and kids from all over the Bay Area who come to showcase their talent. Give thanks to the City of Petaluma, our elected officials, City Staff and Petaluma Police Department for helping us set the stage for another fantastic event. And. . .give thanks to the many, MANY hands who volunteered to make the whole thing happen.

And…if you weren’t able to make it, good news. There’ll be another one next year. We plan to be around for a long time to come. We hope to see you next year at the 9th Annual Petaluma Invitational Band Review. I’m in the process of collecting photos and video of Saturday’s event that I’ll post soon. In the meantime - PHS music students, directors, and parents ROCK!

What’s Your RQ?

whammer — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:00:07 +0000

September 2007 was our 4^th National Emergency Preparedness Month. Eighteen hundred organizations sponsored over 1,000 events designed to motivate the American people to “Get Ready” and to prepare for emergencies from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. Here in Petaluma, our Alliance for Local Emergency Response Teams (ALERT) sponsored or coordinated the following: “Disaster Readiness” information booths at three Farmers Markets; four neighborhood get-togethers, that attracted over 100 people, to promote the formation of Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams (NERT); and the distribution of over 850 Emergency Preparedness pocket guides. In addition, our community’s 6^th CERT course (Community Emergency Response Team) took place at Groverman Hall.. By the end of this month, over 70 citizens will have completed a 24-27 hour course (offered since March 2006) devoted to training people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. Later this month, there will be additional opportunities for Petalumans to learn how to: (a) make a family disaster plan, (b) create an earthquake safe home, (c) prepare a disaster supply kit, and (d) learn what other resources are available. What has been lacking until now, however; has been a “yardstick” or practical “gauge” for individuals and communities to assess their degree of preparedness and to identify what additional steps need to be taken in order to really Be Ready to be on one’s own for 72-hours or longer. The tool that will help you determine your level of readiness and then compare your findings with a national average is called the Readiness Quotient or “RQ.” The Council for Excellence in Government has developed two barometers to help communities and individuals to actually measure readiness and preparedness. One, the Public Readiness Index provides a score for a geographic location, such as: a city, a state, or the nation. The “RQ Test” for individuals and families is a quick and simple one minute test to complete. Take it now … http://www.whatsyourrq.org/ and compare your results with the national average, as well as other residents living in your Zip Code.

Blog News? Blog Activism? WHAT’S IN A BLOG…OR NAME?

PINS — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 06:06:33 +0000

By Frank Simpson

There has been a great deal of discussion–online & offline–about the role of bloggers and their impact in the media world. There are, of course, many types of bloggers covering many topics. Just look at the variety of bloggers on Petaluma 360 alone.

Last week, someone forwarded a blog link talking about the role of “political bloggers” in today’s society. Frankly, it caught me off guard. Me! A political blogger? Well, what the heck! What’s in a name any how? I am still mulling it over…not really comfortable with the appellation. On the other hand, I think I described myself as a “Shock Blogger” at a recent Council Meeting. So much for my sense of decorum and propriety.

In any event, for now you can consider the views on this subject as
set out in “Local Political Blogs are Here to Stay”

See http://californiacitynews.typepad.com/californiacitynewsorg/2007/10/local-political.html

[where: 94954]

Petaluma’s Trash…Litter…Illegal (Open) Dumping

PINS — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:27:41 +0000

By Frank Simpson

It has been almost twelve hours since I first read the article in this morning’s Press Democrat about Petaluma’s Adobe Creek…

“New mess in creek” http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071004/NEWS/710040356/1033/NEWS01 )

A few minutes ago, I looked at the online comments posted to the article. In many instances, the comments were almost as disturbing as the underlying story.

Unfortunately, trash and illegal dumping are not new to Petaluma, Sonoma County, or California…not to mention the country as a whole.

What is particularly infuriating is that there are many ways to dispose of unwanted materials. Unfortunately, there are those who elect not to take this course of action. To get a sense of the scope of the problem, run a Google search using…

“why do people litter”
“illegal dumping California”

Presently, I am aware of open dump sites near Kenilworth School and Prince Park. I am almost ready to say that there is virtually no creek or trail in Petaluma that does not have a problem…

The recent clean up efforts in Lucchesi, East Washington Creek, and the Petaluma River notwithstanding, the illegal dumping and litter always returns.

Like the students at Casa Grande High School, we must continue to fight back. There is NO alternative…

[where: 94954]